“We succeeded pretty well, at least for a while”: visionary poet LENORE KANDEL on the Diggers

Lenore Kandel
Poet and Digger Lenore Kandel movingly reads from her poem To Fuck With Love (1966), and then reflects on the Diggers’ work and legacy. This YouTube video was filmed at Lenore’s memorial in 2010, where the footage was shown; you will see memorial attendees walk in front of the screen a couple of times. I’m fairly certain the footage of Lenore is from an interview conducted by the makers of the Les Diggers de San Francisco documentary film, released in 1998. Some of this footage was not included in the film.
“Lenore Kandel, poet, talks with Carlos Fresneda and Isaac Hernandez, illustrated from a beautiful collection of photos from her life. This video was shown at her memorial. Photos and audio ©2012 IsaacHernandez.com”
Fellow Digger Vicki Pollack shares information and insights about Lenore’s life at the memorial.
Fellow Digger Peter Berg reflects on Lenore at her memorial.
Fellow Digger Kathy Nolan reads some as-yet-unpublished poems by Lenore, and shares some thoughts.
Fellow Digger Judy Goldhaft reads a poem in remembrance of Lenore from Janeane [sp?].
Fellow Digger Peter Cohon/Coyote pays tribute to Lenore.

Published by Jay Babcock

I am an independent writer and editor based in Tucson, Arizona. In 2023: I publish an email newsletter called LANDLINE = https://jaybabcock.substack.com Previously: I co-founded and edited Arthur Magazine (2002-2008, 2012-13) and curated the three Arthur music festival events (Arthurfest, ArthurBall, and Arthur Nights) (2005-6). Prior to that I was a district office staffer for Congressman Henry A. Waxman, a DJ at Silver Lake pirate radio station KBLT, a copy editor at Larry Flynt Publications, an editor at Mean magazine, and a freelance journalist contributing work to LAWeekly, Mojo, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Vibe, Rap Pages, Grand Royal and many other print and online outlets. An extended piece I wrote on Fela Kuti was selected for the Da Capo Best Music Writing 2000 anthology. In 2006, I was somehow listed in the Music section of Los Angeles Magazine's annual "Power" issue. In 2007-8, I produced a blog called "Nature Trumps," about the L.A. River. From 2010 to 2021, I lived in rural wilderness in Joshua Tree, Ca.

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3 thoughts on ““We succeeded pretty well, at least for a while”: visionary poet LENORE KANDEL on the Diggers”

  1. Thank you Jay I didn’t attend Lenores memorial. I had not seen nor heard The photos , poems and tributes herein. Profound thanks for sending it.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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    1. Funny seeing your article on the Diggers, Hells Angels and Sweet WILLIAM otherwise known as Dukie in NY where he grew up. He was my first cousin 3 yrs older but inseparable until his mother, my moms sister moved them back to California when he was 16. Those early adventures and misadventures as he mentored me in fighting, stealing, baseball and the art of life still fill my thoughts daily. Who he became was preordained from Queens to San Francisco and I would be happy to share with you these pre Kerouac times leading to the Angels, the Diggers and Lenore.

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